Professor exposes “Climate of Corruption”.

For the past several years, global warming has been one of the most heavily-debated issues in American culture. Powerful politicians, passionate environmentalists, and skillful pundits have relentlessly emphasized the importance of addressing the issue as a crisis; something that requires our immediate attention.

Larry Bell, an endowed professor of space architecture at the University of Houston, recently wrote a book titled “Climate of Corruption: Politics and Power Behind The Global Warming Hoax”. Released in January, Climate of Corruption aims to unveil the political posturing behind claims that the earth is in a permanent warming period. I recently interviewed Professor Bell, and he had some very enlightening things to say about his book and the opposition to it.

“There’s a lot of shenanigans with words”, says Bell, who believes that powerful figures, such as former Vice President Al Gore, have mislead the public on the issue of global warming. Cap and Trade legislation, which would provide economic incentives for companies to reduce the amount of hazardous emissions, is described by Bell as a “total scam”. Although many politicians, including President Obama, have championed a Cap and Trade proposal, Bell refutes the notion that environmental concern is the primary influence behind it. Founded by Gore in 2004, Generation Investment Management is a firm which focuses on environmental responsibility. Bell notes that if Cap and Trade became law, Gore’s firm would have “made a killing” financially.

In addition to questioning the motives of current and former U.S. lawmakers, Bell also believes that the idea of the earth being in a climate crisis is scientifically inaccurate. “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t believe in climate change”, says Bell. The professor explains that, although we are currently in a warming period, climate change is cyclical, not constant. The idea that humans are the primary cause of climate change is also challenged by Bell. “Climate models predict if there’s human global warming occurring, satellites will detect warming in the atmosphere. What are they detecting? No warming. There’s no human signature of warming caused by carbon dioxide levels”, Bell says.

Professor Bell is not alone in his belief.

The Global Warming Petition Project, or PetitionProject.org, has been signed by over 31,400 scientists. According to PetitionProject.org, the purpose of this petition is to “demonstrate that the claim of “settled science” and an overwhelming “consensus” in favor of the hypothesis of human-caused global warming and consequent climatological damage is wrong”. Among those who have publicly endorsed “Climate of Corruption” are meteorologist John Coleman, founder of The Weather Channel, and Walter Cunningham, who was an Apollo 7 astronaut.

Although there is much support behind Bell’s book, there are many groups who fervently oppose it. One such group is RealClimate.org, which says that Larry Bell “raises a barrage of obscure and marginal facts and fabrications that appear at first glance to cast doubt on the entire edifice under attack, but which on closer examination do no such thing.” The organization, which purports to be raising awareness on the global warming, believes that “climate is changing as a result of human intervention.” Those at RealClimate.org also believe that if comprehensive polices related to global warming aren’t implemented, “both human civilization and the biosphere will be permanently damaged.”.

Those who have expressed their opposition to of “Climate of Corruption” have not deterred its author. Bell believes that groups such as RealClimate.org distort facts and spread misinformation about an issue that is very complex. “ We’ve got to get serious about this. This isn’t some trivial thing. This is something that effects not only your pocketbook but your future”, Bell says. By writing Climate of Corruption, Professor Bell hopes to influence opinions on the issue of climate change, and expects accountability in science and reporting. There is one thing we know for sure; this issue is not as cut-and-dry as it is portrayed. The motives behind it have been, and will continue to be, questioned by both global warming skeptics, and believers.